As we move between seasons, switching up your beauty routine can help take your skin from drab to fab. When things start to heat up, our bodies sweat more. Unless you are properly cleansing and exfoliating, that can lead to clogged pores and blemishes. Fortunately, you can naturally cleanse your skin with clay. Cleansing with clay takes washing your face and skin to a whole other level.
Clay has been used since ancient times to purify the skin and hair. The minerals present in clay help to remove excess oil and gently eliminate any dirt. Cleansing with clay is popular among holistic beauty experts and modern facialists alike. Everyone is getting on board with clay in recent years because it has seriously positive results. Here are a few of the benefits of naturally cleansing with clay.
There are different clays for different occasions.
This clay goes by the name of “healing clay” in many cultures. In fact, the Aztecs were huge fans of Bentonite clay. People today use this clay to stimulate hair growth, eliminate fungus, and even reduce joint and muscle pain. When it comes to skin, Bentonite has a reputation for clearing complexions, treating rashes, and working to eliminate dandruff.
Bentonite comes from volcanic ash and also goes by the name of Montmorillonite clay. This clay works to remove toxins that our bodies absorb from our surroundings and diet. It also contains a lot of wonderful minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and others. Bentonite mixed with liquid provides an ‘electrical’ charge which binds to metals in the body and removes them.
Kaolin clay comes from a hill in China, which explains its name. This clay also goes by the names of China clay, French Green clay or White clay. As you might have guessed from its variety of names, it comes in many colours. The colour of Kaolin clay depends on the minerals it contains. Just like Bentonite, Kaolin clay works to remove any toxins in the body.
However, Kaolin clay tends to be gentler than its volcanic cousin. It is one of the mildest clays out there, so it’s perfect for people with sensitive skin. The gentle cleansing that Kaolin provides can help reduce inflammation and breakouts. Its super fine texture is also ideal for exfoliating away dead skin cells for softer skin.
Illite clay is not as popular as the previous clays but still has its own benefits. Usually, this clay originates from sedimentary rock or marine shales. As the other clays help purify, so does Illite clay. It works well to detoxify or even decongest! Either way, it can help remove impurities from you and your skin.
What makes Illite so different is that it is very absorbent and works to dry skin. The drying effect that it provides can actually be quite strong. If you have dry skin, you might want to avoid Illite clay as it may not benefit you. This clay works best for people with normal to oily skin.
Depending on what you would like to treat, there’s a clay type that works for that. While some people ingest Bentonite clay to make use of its healing properties, we’ll stick to the external benefits.
Clay is an excellent natural resource that you can use to cleanse and heal yourself. Some other popular uses of clay are mineral baths or hot, detoxifying body wraps. No matter how you decide to use clay, be sure to take some precaution. Due to the high levels of natural minerals in clay, particularly Bentonite, they may not be safe for everyone. Pregnant mothers and babies may not benefit from these healing clays.
If you are interested in learning more about natural ingredients, read Mayca’s previous post and sign up for her Complete Skincare Course.
Ashuni Pérez is an American writer based in Valencia, Spain. She has a passion for natural beauty and the environment. Ashuni loves to cycle and drink smoothies in the sun. Follow her on Instagram at @ashuuuuni
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